Compact truss system

Abstract

A truss system for supporting stage lights or other components having a strong rigid frame and a vertically adjustable deck from which the components are highly accessible. The system may be connected to other systems either collinearly or in angled configurations. Caster legs are retractable and the deck is vertically adjustable in response to the components used and/or the geometry of the venue. The deck is cushioned against shock and vibration by interposing coiled cable shocks between the frame and deck.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A truss system comprising: a platform deck;   opposed first and second lateral members;   opposed first and second end members;   means connecting said platform deck to said lateral and end members for guiding said platform in a vertical direction relative to said lateral and end members, said guiding means includes a block connected to said deck and a support member connected to said lateral and end members, whereby said support member and said block are adapted to slide relative to one another; and   means for locking said deck in a preselected vertical location relative to said lateral and end members, whereby components suspended from said deck are in a protected position when said deck is in an upper vertical location and are in an operating position when said deck is in a lower vertical location.   
     
     
       2. The truss system of claim 1, including hinge means connected to said end member for connecting adjacent truss systems and displacing them at an angle one from the other.   
     
     
       3. The truss system of claim 1, including: a plurality of casters; and   a support pad connected to each of said casters with an upper surface having a first portion for abutting said lateral member, a second portion for abutting said end member, a third portion for abutting said end member, and a fourth portion for connecting to a leg.   
     
     
       4. The truss system of claim 3, including: a plurality of legs moveable relative to said lateral and end members, each leg connected to a caster, and   means for locking the locations of said legs.   
     
     
       5. A truss system comprising: a platform deck;   opposed first and second lateral members;   opposed first and second end members;   means connecting said platform deck to said lateral and end members for guiding said platform in a vertical direction relative to said lateral and end members;   means for locking said deck in a preselected vertical location relative to said lateral and end members, whereby components suspended from said deck are in a protected position when said deck is in an upper vertical location and are in an operating position when said deck is in a lower vertical location;   a plurality of legs moveable relative to said lateral and end members; and   means for locking the location of said legs.   
     
     
       6. The truss system of claim 5, wherein said guiding means includes a block connected to said deck and a support member connected to said lateral and end members, whereby said support member and said block are adapted to slide relative to one another.   
     
     
       7. The truss system of claim 5, wherein: said guiding means includes a block connected to said deck and a support member connected to said lateral and end members, whereby said support member and said block are adapted to slide relative to one another; and   said locking means comprises a plunger and aligned holes in said block and said support member.   
     
     
       8. The truss system of claim 5, including support members attached to said deck, wherein said guiding means includes:   a plurality of blocks, each connected to a support member;   a plurality of support members connected to said lateral and end members; and said locking means includes   a plurality of plungers, each plunger adapted to be received in aligned holes in one of said blocks and a corresponding one of said end support members; and including   a plurality of collars, each connected to a support member, wherein one of said legs slides relative thereto; and   a plurality of plungers, each plunger adapted to be received in aligned holes in one of said collars and a corresponding one of said legs.   
     
     
       9. A truss system comprising: opposed first and second lateral members;   opposed first and second end members attached to said first and second lateral members and forming a frame;   a platform deck connected to said end members;   first guiding means connected to said deck and said frame for altering the position of said deck with respect to said lateral and end members;   first locking means connected to first sliding means for fastening said deck to said frame;   a plurality of legs connected to said frame;   second guiding means connected to said deck for allowing the alteration of the position of said legs with respect to said frame; and   second locking means connected to said sliding means for maintaining the position of said legs with respect to said frame.   
     
     
       10. The truss system of claim 9, wherein said deck comprises at least one planar section having a multiplicity of holes. 
     
     
       11. The truss system of claim 9, wherein said first guiding means comprises a plurality of blocks connected to said deck, wherein each block slides relative to the central flange of a corresponding T-shaped beam attached to said frame. 
     
     
       12. The truss system of claim 11, wherein said first locking means for fastening said deck to said frame comprises: a plurality of plungers, each plunger passing through a hole in one of said blocks and an aligned hole in one of said beams.   
     
     
       13. The truss system of claim 9, including opposed first and second pivotable braces spanning said frame and said deck, and connected thereto.   
     
     
       14. The truss system of claim 14, wherein said second guiding means comprises a plurality of collars, each collar connected to said deck, whereby said legs are slidably disposed within said collars.   
     
     
       15. The truss system of claim 14, wherein said second locking means to fix the length of the extended portion of said leg with respect to said frame comprises plurality of plungers, each plunger passing through a hole in one of said collars and through an aligned hole in one of said legs.   
     
     
       16. The truss system of claim 9, including casters attached to said legs; and   means for transmitting shock and vibration experienced by said casters comprising a plurality of caster mounting plates, the upper surface of each plate having a pair of orthogonal concave recesses.   
     
     
       17. The truss system of claim 9, including means for partially isolating said deck from shock and vibration experienced by said frame comprising a plurality of coiled cable shocks interposed between said frame and said deck. 
     
     
       18. The truss system of claim 9, wherein: said first guiding means comprises a plurality of blocks connected to said deck, each said block sliding relative to the central flange of a corresponding T-shaped beam attached to said frame;   said first locking means comprise a plurality of plungers, each plunger passing through a hole in one of said blocks and an aligned hole in one of said beams;   said second guiding means comprises a plurality of collars, each collar connected to said deck, whereby said legs are slidably disposed within said collars; and   said second locking means comprises a plurality of plungers, each plunger passing through a hole in one of said collars and through an aligned hole in one of said legs.   
     
     
       19. The truss system of claim 18, comprising: casters attached to said legs;   means for transmitting shock and vibration experienced by said casters;   means for partially isolating said deck from shock and vibration experienced by said frame;   hinge means connected to said end member for connecting adjacent truss units and displacing them at an angle one from the other; and   opposed first and second pivotable braces spanning said frame and said deck, and connected thereto.   
     
     
       20. The truss system of claim 19, wherein: said means for transmitting shook and vibration experienced by said casters comprises a plurality of caster mounting plates, the upper surface of each plate having a pair of orthogonal concave recesses; and   said means for partially isolating said deck from shock and vibration comprises a plurality of coiled cable shocks interposed between said frame and said deck.   
     
     
       21. A truss system comprising: first and second lateral numbers;   a mounting element for allowing the attachment of components to the truss system;   a guiding and connecting element connected to the mounting element and to the lateral members disposed to allow vertical sliding movement of the lateral members upwardly and downwardly relative to the mounting element; and   a locking element connected to the guiding and connecting element for locking and releasing the guiding and connecting element whereby the relative vertical position between the mounting element and the lateral members may be altered and fixed as desired.   
     
     
       22. The truss system of claim 21 including: a plurality of legs connected to the mounting element and movable relative to said lateral members and   means for locking said legs in a preselected location.